I’d seen enough of Marco’s film to raise an eyebrow. The thought of her treating me the same didn’t settle well and that was another reason to be concerned. You know he’ll love it, or you’re guessing?

He’ll love it. Her mental voice rang with certainty, but that tone bled away as she continued. But I’m not positive of anything anymore. With all this rewinding… Her forehead pinched. I can only see a few minutes ahead. The long-term is a big, scary question mark.

I wished I could project confidence to her, but I didn’t feel it at the moment. All I had was determination. I hoped that would be enough. Whatever gets us in that lift.

Follow my lead. And sorry in advance.

Before I could answer, Quanta grabbed my tray and hurled it across the room. The lid popped as it collided with the wall. A section of the hologram flickered as lumps of scrambled egg oozed down its surface.

Quanta folded her arms and scowled. “I’m not eating that.”

I wasn’t sure where she was leading, but I trusted her enough to follow. “That one was mine.” I slid the proper tray in front of her and then moved to sit.

She pushed it back across to me. “I want French toast.”

“You haven’t looked. How do you know you don’t want it?” All of a sudden, I felt like I’d gone back in time again—only to a younger version of Cass.

Quanta shot me a look like I was the slowest person she’d ever had the displeasure of meeting, and that expression on her face…

A tiny barb lodged in my chest.

I genuinely disliked when she looked at me like that, even though I knew she was acting. Then again, Eva had wired me to lose my mind where Quanta was concerned. I had to shake off that pre-programming, or I’d never be able to play this role and both of us would be dead.

“I know what’s on the tray. I want French toast.” Quanta stared me down, but I wasn’t sure what she wanted. Replacing the food would mean leaving her alone and I wasn’t volunteering for that.

Finally, she made a frustrated noise and turned to the window. “Daaaaaaaaarreeeen.” The pleading whine in her voice lifted the hairs on my arms. “Make him fix it.”

It wasn’t her.

It wasn’t her at all. Unpleasant tightness balled in my chest. How many times had she put on the same act just to survive?

My watch buzzed and I tapped at a message from Darren: Do what she says.

I suppressed a flash of irritation. Of course he wanted us apart. He wanted to keep Quanta for himself for as long as possible, and my being here was ruining his monopoly.